The Meaning of Religion

Seth Speaks, Session 585

There are internal realizations always present within the whole self.  There is comprehension of the meaning of all existence within each personality.  The knowledge of multidimensional existence is not only in the background of your present conscious activity, but each man knows within himself that his conscious life is dependent upon a greater dimension of actuality.  This greater dimension cannot be materialized in a three-dimensional system, yet the knowledge of this greater dimension floods outward from the innermost heart of being, and is projected outward, transforming all it touches.

This flooding-out imbues certain elements of the physical world with a brilliance and intensity far surpassing that usually known.  Those touched by it are transformed, in your terms, into something more than they were.  This inner knowledge attempts to find a place for itself within the physical landscape, to translate itself into physical terms.  Each man, then, possesses this inner knowledge within himself, and to some extent or other he also looks for confirmation of it in the world.

The outer world is a reflection of the inner one, though far from perfect.  The inner knowledge can be compared to a book about a homeland that a traveler takes with him into a strange country.  Each man is born with the yearning to make these truths real for himself, though he sees a great difference between them and the environment in which he lives.

An internal drama is carried on by each individual, a psychic drama which is finally projected outward with great force upon the field of history.  The birth of great religious events emerges from the interior religious drama.  The drama itself is a psychological phenomenon in a way, for each physically oriented self feels thrust alone into a strange environment, without knowing its origins or destination or even the reason for its own existence.

This is the dilemma of the ego, particularly in its early states.  It looks outward for answers because this is its nature: to manipulate within physical reality.  It also senses, however, a deep and abiding connection that it does not understand, with other portions of the self that are not under its domain.  It is also aware that this inner self possesses knowledge upon which its own existence is based.

As it grows, in your terms, it looks outward for confirmation of this inner knowledge.  The inner self upholds the ego with its support.  It forms its truths into physically oriented data with which the ego can deal.  It then projects these outward into the area of physical reality.  Seeing these truths thus materialized, the ego then finds it easier to accept them.

Thus you deal often with events in which men are touched by great illumination, isolated from the masses of humanity, and endowed with great powers – periods of history that appear almost unnaturally brilliant in contrast with others; prophets, geniuses, and kings shown in greater-than-human proportions.

Now these people are chosen by others to manifest outwardly the interior truths that all intuitively know.  There are many levels of significance here.  On the one hand, such individuals receive their unearthly abilities and power from their fellows, contain it, exhibit it in the physical world for all to see.  They play the part of the blessed inner self that actually cannot operate within physical reality uncloaked by flesh.  This energy, however, is a quite valid projection from the interior self.

The personality so touched by it actually does then become, in certain terms, what he seems to be.  He will emerge as an eternal hero in the external religious drama, as the inner self is the eternal hero of the interior religious drama.

This mystic projection is a continual activity.  When the strength of one great religion begins to diminish and its physical effects grow less, then the internal drama begins once again to quicken.  The highest of man’s aspirations, therefore, will be projected upon physical history.  The dramas themselves will differ.  Remember, they are built up internally first.

They will be formed to impress world conditions at any given time, and therefore couched in symbols and events that will most impress the populace.  This is craftily done, for the inner self knows exactly what will impress the ego, and what kinds of personalities will be best able to personify the message at any given time.  When such a personality appears in history then, he is intuitively recognized, for the way has long been laid, and in many cases the prophecies announcing such an arrival have already been given.

The individuals so chosen do not just happen to appear among you.  They are not chosen at random.  They are individuals who have taken upon themselves the responsibility for this role.  After their birth they are aware to varying degrees of their destiny, and certain trigger experiences may at times arouse their full memory.

They serve quite clearly as human representatives of All That Is.  Now since each individual is a part of All That Is, to some extent each of you serve in that same role.  In such a religious drama however, the main personality is much more conscious of his inner knowledge, more aware of his abilities, far better able to use them, and exultantly familiar with his relationship to all of life.